 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2006-08-06 13:23
Hi everyone!
Recently, on my Leblanc Concerto Bb, I discovered the tenons are no longer 'secure', resulting in wobbling joints. I took it to my tech with new corks in mind, and he said that won't just fix it.
I just want to know if it's possible this is a seasonal thing (it's winter in Australia at the moment) or permanant, and if anything can be done? At the moment I've got plumber's tape in place which is doing a great job but that's only a workaround.
Thanks
PS. All joints have metal caps, if that makes any difference.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-08-06 17:40
My experience with the effects of changing seasons has been that the regular, monthly use of bore oil (I use pure orange oil) will lessen these changes. The plumbers tape seems a good solution, but as the wood "comes back" the tape will compress the cork. Keep in mind my experience is more New England than "Down Under."
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-08-06 19:48
(Disclaimer - I sell humidity control and measurement products)
Wood will shrink when it is too dry and swell when too wet. I would bring it back slowly to 50-65% RH for a couple of days and see whether it is still loose. It is more difficult to add mass to the tenon cup than remove it but do nothing until you have it at some reasonable humidity factor.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2006-08-06 23:14
> It is more difficult to add mass to the tenon cup than remove it but do nothing until you have it at some reasonable humidity factor. <
The reasonable humidity factor will do nothing to the metal tenon cap. If for some reason the tenon cap is smaller than required the solution is simple:
Remove the old cork. Wrap some sewing thread on the tenon in place of the old cork until the thread is at the same level as the shoulder and the cap. Use super glue to secure the end of the thread. Install a new (thin about 0.8 mm) cork on the entire tenon including the shoulder and the cap using good quality contact cement. Bevel the outer edge of the cork. Apply some cork grease and assemble the clarinet. Sand the cork down if needed.
You do not find this trick in a repair book so not all technicians are aware of this solution.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
Post Edited (2006-08-06 23:22)
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